7 stateless kids under age 12 as at last Dec; no automatic citizenship

There were seven stateless children under the age of 12 in Singapore, and another 13 between the ages of 12 and 18, as at Dec 31, 2023. They constituted 2.3 per cent of the total number of stateless individuals here.

- Nadine Chua

There were seven stateless children under the age of 12 in Singapore, and another 13 between the ages of 12 and 18, as at Dec 31, 2023.

They constituted 2.3 per cent of the total number of stateless individuals here.

While their circumstances vary, one reason for their statelessness is that they were born in Singapore to foreign parents who did not obtain citizenship of their country for their children.

Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam said this in a written parliamentary reply on Oct 15, following Nominated MP Razwana Begum Abdul Rahim's questions on the number of stateless children, and the support available to them.

A stateless individual is not recognised as a citizen of any country and has no nationality.

Associate Professor Razwana's questions came after The Straits Times published an article in September on stateless individuals living in Singapore.

One of them was 25-year-old Ricqo Rafiezuwan, who was born in Singapore but has never left the country nor attended school.